What the Standards say about rotations

The NOP definition of crop rotation highlights the basic principle of crop rotations, which is to alternate different types of crops within a single field over time. Rotations can include alternating:

•        Crops from different plant family groups

•        Annual crops with perennial crops

•        Row crops, drilled crops and sod-forming crops

•        Cool-season crops with warm-season crops

•        Heavy feeders, medium feeders and light feeders

•        Deep-rooted crops with shallow-rooted crops

Section 205.205 of the Standards sets requirements for the producer to implement a crop rotation including but not limited to sod, cover crops, green manure crops and catch crops. The crop rotation must provide functions that are applicable to the operation. These functions include maintaining or improving soil organic matter content, providing for pest management in annual and perennial crops, managing deficient or excess plant nutrients and providing erosion control.

Note that §205.205 applies to all kinds of organic crops: Managers of orchards, vineyards or other perennial crops must use "alley cropping, intercropping, and hedgerows to introduce biological diversity in lieu of crop rotations" (§205.2).